Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has changed the life of every citizen of our state, has been going on for the third year. However, thanks to the high professionalism and dedication of its employees and management, the Institute of Cell Therapy is not only fully functioning, but also developing even in these difficult conditions. The scientific work of the Institute of Cell Therapy has been reoriented in accordance with the challenges of today – scientists of the Institute of Cell Therapy have developed methods for treating mine-explosive and gunshot wounds using placenta preparations (amniotic membrane). Summing up the difficult year that has passed, we inform you about the main achievements of the Institute of Cell Therapy in 2024.
Uninterrupted operation of the enterprise in conditions of martial law
In conditions of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, residents of our state continue to have access to cryopreservation services for stem cells collected at birth from umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, and placenta in accordance with international standards. All divisions of the Institute of Cell Therapy operate uninterruptedly: laboratories, cryo-storage, logistics service, clinics. The cryo-storage of the Institute of Cell Therapy is located on the basis of maternity hospital No. 3 in Kyiv, it is a strategic facility with power supply via a dedicated line. In addition, the cryo-storage of the Institute of Cell Therapy has its own independent power supply and ventilation systems. The enterprise has also a reserve supply of liquid nitrogen for 3-4 months. There is round-the-clock security and video monitoring.
Maintaining leadership on the Ukrainian biobanking market
For over 20 years, the Institute of Cell Therapy has been providing Ukrainian parents with high-quality services for the collection, transportation, processing, testing and long-term storage of biomaterial collected during childbirth (cord blood, umbilical cord, placenta) in accordance with international standards (NetCord-FACT, GMP, GLP, GCP). Our methods ensure the presence of up to 96% of viable cells after thawing. This is evidenced by hundreds of successful applications of biomaterial processed by Cryobank in clinical trials for the treatment of osteoarthritis, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), cardiovascular diseases, pancreatitis, COVID-19 and others.
Maintaining ISO quality standards
In 2014, the Institute of Cell Therapy became the first cord blood bank in Ukraine to receive the prestigious international ISO accreditation. The audit was conducted by the German company TUV Rheinland/LGA InterCert. International accreditation of the cryobanks of cord blood, other human cells and tissues, in addition to the license of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, is an additional guarantee of high quality cryopreservation of biomaterial by the biobank and compliance of its biological products with international standards. The latter is extremely important if it is necessary to transport cryopreserved biomaterial abroad and receive medical services in other countries of the world.
Improving the method of treating gunshot and mine-explosive wounds using amniotic membrane from the placenta
The use of amniotic membrane in wound treatment is based on its unique biological and structural features. After the initial surgical and medical treatment of the wound, the amniotic membrane, cryopreserved using the ICT method, is applied to the affected area to reduce inflammation and stimulate soft tissue regeneration. Preliminary results of experimental treatment have demonstrated an impressive effect on reducing the area of the wound surface, stimulating the growth of granulation tissue and epithelialization of the wound edges; pain syndrome is also reduced and the quality of life of patients improves.
Clinical trials under the auspices of the Coordination Center for Transplantation of Organs, Tissues and Cells of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
In 2008, the Institute of Cell Therapy was one of the first medical institutions in Ukraine to receive permission from the Coordination Center for Transplantation of Organs, Tissues and Cells of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to conduct clinical trials using human stem cells. To date, the Institute of Cell Therapy has successfully completed clinical trials for the treatment of chronic ischemia of the lower extremities, pancreatic necrosis, peripheral artery diseases of the lower extremities, and keratitis. In collaboration with leading research institutes of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, medical universities and medical institutions of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, clinical trials are going on on the treatment of cardiomyopathy, osteoarthritis, trophic ulcers of the lower extremities, herniated intervertebral discs, and COVID-19. Clinical trials are the only way to make innovative treatment methods available to our compatriots.
International Cooperation
The Institute of Cell Therapy is a member of the main international association of accredited cord blood banks, the Cord Blood Association (CBA). The staff of the Institute of Cell Therapy participates in the activities of the International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT), the International Society for Placental Stem Cell Research (IPLASS), the International Federation of Placental Research Associations, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). The significance of the intellectual and scientific contribution of the Institute of Cell Therapy to international scientific projects is confirmed by dozens of scientific articles of the ICT staff in international peer-reviewed publications indexed by Scopus and Web of Science, especially in the field of cryopreservation and clinical application of placental mesenchymal stem cells.
Successful scientific activity and publication of a journal indexed by Scopus
The Institute of Cell Therapy operates the R&D Centre and the Placental Stem Cell Laboratory. The Institute’s staff are co-implementers of numerous national and international grants, in particular the COST Action of the EU Horizon program and the projects of the Ukraine’s National Fund of Investigations. Since 2013, with the financial support of the Institute of Cell Therapy, the scientific and practical journal “Cell and Organ Transplantology” has been published in English, which is indexed in Scopus.
Participation in projects of the Association of Cryobanks of Umbilical Cord Blood, Other Human Tissues and Cells
The Institute of Cell Therapy is a co-founder and full member of the Association of Cryobanks of Umbilical Cord Blood, Other Human Tissues and Cells. Established in 2013, the Association of Cryobanks takes an active part in forming a legal market for high-quality cryopreservation services of biomaterial in Ukraine on the basis of fair competition and harmonization of legal regulation of the industry. In the conditions of a full-scale invasion, the Institute of Cell Therapy continued to support the Association of Cryobanks in implementing educational activities, consulting citizens, and involving leading foreign experts in cooperation.
